Free Love All Out - Part 4 (A Stepbrother Romance) by Alice Ward

Instead, I refused to even look at you. I failed you when you needed me most.”
    I stared at her, speechless for a moment, moved by her words. “I wasn’t exactly on my best behavior that day,” I admitted, thinking of how I’d accused her of wanting Daddy to die. I shrank a little in my seat. “I owe you an apology too.”
    Renee shook her head. “You were lashing out because you were frustrated with me. And you had every right to be. I’m the parent, but I acted like a selfish child and left you to be the adult. I want you to know that will never happen again. I really do love you, Willow, and not just because you’re Cole’s daughter. If I wasn’t going to be your stepmother, I’d still very much like to be your friend.”
    “Thank you, Renee,” I said, squeezing her hand again. “What do you say we forget about the last few weeks and make a fresh start?”
    “I’d love that.” She beamed back at me. She released my hand and wiped her eyes with a napkin. “I know that you and James are both adults,” she continued. “And it’s a little late in the game for a new family. But I really hope that’s what we’ll become. In my ideal world, you’ll both build on the ranch and we’ll always be together. Just think of how wonderful it would be. Your kids and James’s kids would grow up like brothers and sisters!”
    Every cell in my body cringed, but kept a smile on my face. “That would be wonderful,” I agreed, desperate to change the subject. “But first, we have to focus on the wedding. What are you and Daddy thinking about as far as reception food?”
    Renee started describing the new heart healthy reception menu and I let my mind wander.
    This woman really loves my father. And I think she’s sincere. She wants us all to be a normal, happy family. She wants to treat me like a daughter… and I think I want to let her. James and I have to come clean soon. It’s not fair to let Renee think she’s getting her dream family. As soon as we get the paternity test results, we’ll tell them… and figure out how to be a family from there…
     
    ***
     
    "So when are you two leaving for New York?” Mason asked as he let one of the round pin panels fall to the ground. It was Saturday afternoon, a week before Belmont Stakes, and Mason, Matt, and I were moving our outdoor equipment to make room for the barn expansion.
    “I’m not sure I’m going to the race,” I said. I wiped my neck with a bandana and wished I could get away with going shirtless like the guys. The air was heavy and humid after the storm we’d had the night before, and the ranch was spotted with pools of standing water. But the sky was clear and the hot sun shone down upon us, turning nature into a steamy sauna.
    “Of course you’re going,” Matt insisted. “We all are. Next Saturday could be the biggest day of our lives.”
    I shook my head and helped Mason take down another panel. “Daddy can’t go. Dr. Gulley says he’s not ready to travel. And with the wedding the week after, there’s just so much to get done. I was thinking about staying home next weekend, watching the race on TV.”
    Matt raised an eyebrow. “What does Cole think about that plan?” he asked.
    I frowned back at him. “I haven’t told him yet,” I admitted.
    “Because you know he’ll tell you to go,” Matt finished. “I know you don’t want to go without your Dad. But how will you feel if Mondo does it? What if he wins the Triple Crown and you’re not there to see it?”
    “You and I both know the chances of that happening are slim to none,” I said, wiping my neck again. I shook off my leather work gloves and fetched a bottle of water from the nearby cooler.
    “Last week, you were convinced he could take it all,” Matt reminded me. He and Mason dropped the final panel and joined me at the cooler.
    “Why the sudden loss of confidence?” Matt asked as he dug through the ice for another bottle of water. He found two and tossed one to Mason,